On Monday, October 6, 2025, Italian Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Benedetta Scuderi delivered a powerful and impassioned speech during the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, France. Addressing her fellow parliamentarians, Scuderi detailed the harrowing experience of being detained and mistreated by Israeli forces alongside hundreds of activists who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission aimed at delivering critical aid to the people of Gaza. The flotilla, which set sail to break through the ongoing blockade and provide relief to a population enduring famine and dire humanitarian conditions, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, leading to the detention of its participants under what Scuderi described as inhumane conditions.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic term for steadfastness, was organized as a peaceful initiative to deliver essential supplies, including food, medical equipment, and other humanitarian aid, to Gaza, where years of blockade and conflict have left the population in a state of perpetual crisis. According to Scuderi, the flotilla consisted of multiple vessels carrying approximately 400 activists from various countries, including five Members of the European Parliament. The mission, she emphasized, was rooted in a commitment to human rights and international law, seeking to address the suffering of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, who have faced restricted access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care due to the Israeli-imposed blockade.
Scuderi recounted the events that unfolded as the flotilla approached Gaza. She stated that the ships were attacked by Israeli forces in international waters, a region where such actions are widely regarded as a violation of maritime law. The vessels were forcibly boarded, and the activists, including Scuderi and four other MEPs, were detained and transported to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The Italian lawmaker described the conditions of their detention as deplorable, with detainees deprived of basic necessities such as adequate food, water, and sleep. Some participants, she noted, were denied access to essential medications, while others reported instances of physical assault by Israeli authorities. These allegations, if substantiated, would constitute serious violations of human rights and international standards for the treatment of detainees.
In her speech, Scuderi expressed outrage at what she described as the blatant disregard for human dignity and international law by Israeli forces. She framed the flotilla’s mission as a desperate response to the inaction of global leaders, particularly European governments and institutions, which she accused of failing to uphold their responsibilities to protect vulnerable populations and enforce international norms. “We did what you, our leaders, have failed to do,” Scuderi declared, addressing the plenary session. She argued that the flotilla was not a provocative act but a moral imperative, driven by the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s population, which has been exacerbated by ongoing conflict, economic isolation, and restricted access to humanitarian aid.
The blockade of Gaza, enforced by Israel since 2007, has been a subject of intense international debate. Critics argue that it has created a humanitarian crisis by limiting the flow of goods, services, and people in and out of the territory. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have repeatedly called for the lifting of the blockade, citing its devastating impact on Gaza’s economy, healthcare system, and overall quality of life. The Global Sumud Flotilla, Scuderi explained, was a direct response to these conditions, aiming to deliver aid and draw global attention to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
Scuderi also highlighted the personal toll of the mission, noting that several participants remained unaccounted for or had not yet returned to their home countries. Among them were French MEPs Rima Hassan and Emma Fourreau, whose whereabouts were still unclear at the time of her speech. Additionally, she mentioned that another flotilla, carrying European activists including French MEP Melissa Camara, was still en route to Gaza, raising concerns about the potential for further confrontations with Israeli forces. Scuderi’s remarks underscored the risks faced by activists and parliamentarians who chose to participate in the mission, driven by a commitment to solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The Italian MEP called on the European Union to take a firm stand in support of the flotilla’s objectives and to hold Israel accountable for its actions. She urged the EU to fulfill its role as a global defender of democracy, human rights, and international law by condemning the attack on the flotilla and the mistreatment of its participants. Scuderi’s plea was not merely a call for justice but a broader critique of the EU’s perceived inaction in the face of ongoing violations in the region. She argued that the EU’s credibility as a champion of human rights was at stake if it failed to respond decisively to the incident.
Within the European Parliament, Scuderi’s political group, the Greens, sought to elevate the issue by proposing that the attack on the flotilla and the unlawful detention of its participants be added to the Parliament’s agenda for discussion. However, the motion was rejected, a decision that sparked frustration among supporters of the flotilla’s mission. Critics of the rejection argued that it reflected a broader reluctance within European institutions to confront Israel over its policies in Gaza, while supporters of the decision claimed that the issue required further investigation before being prioritized on the parliamentary agenda.
The incident has reignited debates about the role of international law in conflict zones and the responsibilities of global powers to address humanitarian crises. The Global Sumud Flotilla is not the first attempt to challenge the Gaza blockade through maritime missions. In 2010, a similar flotilla, known as the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, was intercepted by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of nine activists and sparking widespread international condemnation. The recurrence of such incidents underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding Gaza and the challenges of delivering aid to its population.
Scuderi’s speech also shed light on the broader geopolitical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The blockade of Gaza, coupled with periodic escalations of violence, has left the territory in a state of perpetual instability. Humanitarian organizations estimate that over half of Gaza’s population faces food insecurity, with limited access to clean water and electricity further compounding the crisis. The Global Sumud Flotilla, in this context, was not only a humanitarian mission but also a symbolic act of resistance against the blockade and the policies that sustain it.
As the European Parliament grapples with how to respond, Scuderi’s testimony has brought renewed attention to the plight of Gaza and the risks faced by those who seek to address it. Her call for action resonates with a growing chorus of voices within Europe and beyond, urging governments and international bodies to take concrete steps to alleviate the suffering in Gaza and uphold the principles of justice and human dignity. The fate of the detained activists, including the missing MEPs, remains a pressing concern, as does the safety of those still approaching Gaza aboard the second flotilla.
In conclusion, Benedetta Scuderi’s speech in the European Parliament has cast a spotlight on the Global Sumud Flotilla and the broader issues it seeks to address. Her allegations of mistreatment and unlawful detention by Israeli forces, combined with her critique of European inaction, have sparked a renewed debate about the role of international institutions in addressing humanitarian crises. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community faces mounting pressure to respond to the challenges in Gaza and ensure the safety and rights of those who seek to provide aid. The Global Sumud Flotilla, though met with resistance, has succeeded in amplifying the voices of those calling for justice and solidarity with the people of Gaza.
